2006 Indianapolis Colts Preview

Our writers preview the 2006 season for the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts were about to etch their names into the history books last year for having a perfect 16-0 regular season. However, the Colts stumbled down the stretch, losing two of their final three regular season games and were downed by the Steelers on their home turf in the first game of the playoffs. The Colts came within one last second field goal of playing against the Broncos in the AFC Championship. Mike Vanderjagt missed the field goal, and the rest is history. However, now that the Colts have Adam Vinatieri, arguably the most clutch kicker of all time, things may be different. Vinatieri may give the Colts just what they need to get past the hurdle that is the AFC playoffs. However, one major question the Colts need to answer is how they will handle the loss of star running back Edgerrin James. James was arguably the Colts most valuable player, but they chose to dish out money in order to keep their receiving core of Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison together rather than James. Joseph Addai, the rookie out of LSU, will have some big shoes to fill. Addai can run inside as well as catch the ball out of the backfield, so he should be a very good fit for the offense. If the Colts defense can continue to improve as it did last year, and Manning and his excellent core of receivers continue to put up record-breaking numbers, there is no reason not to put the Colts in the category of Super Bowl contenders.